venu 
£513 


Conf  Pam  12mo  #513 


'       >No.  65. 

WE  PRAY  FOR  YOU  AT  HOME. 


BY  REV.  JOHN  A.   BRQADUS,  D,   I"'..  OF  S.  C. 


Wlicii  we  meet  for  worship  in  the  Church  whdrc  you 
et  with  u  we  mites  you  tliere 

at  the  place  in  which  you  loved  to  sit,  and  which  for  all 
try  months  has  I  :anl       Ah!  manj  a  mail- 

ing to  our  number,  and  many  a  deep,  full 
tone  to  the  bai  mony    of    th<  |  we  <iii-.-<> 

r.      But  we  who  remain    fith  all 
of  true  affection,  blended  with  : 
ness  of  solemu  worship,  pray  then  for  you.     Ami 
as  the  heart-felt  petitions  are  uttered,  tears  are  in  every 
imi  subdued  sobs  are  heard   here,  and  there,  wliile 
►ur  .forth    oiir  tils    in   supplication   for  our 

country  and  fi  happy  and  hopeful,  we  feel 

encouraged  to  pray  ;  when  depressed  and  auxioug,  all  the 
more  are  We  Un  1a  compelled,  to  pray.     Sometimes 

we  remember,  ■'•  wliile  we  worship,  with  the  Sah,- 

bath-day  stillness   all  around,  you  may  be  in  the  terriSap 
shock  of  batttle,  amid    all    its   wild   commotion  and   its 


2 

dreadful  danger.  Stirred  by  such  a  thought,  we  do  not 
fall  down  and  tremble  j  but,  thanking  God  anew  that  he 
permits  us  to  pray,  we  lift  our  beseeching,  ■  agonizing  cry- 
to  Him  in  your  behalf. 

When  we  gather  our  now  broken  circle  for  family  pray- 
er. Then  all  things  remind  us  of  the  absent,  and  every 
heart  in  the  little  group,  younger  and  older,  bond  and  free, 
throbs  when  our  petitions  are  for  you.  It  is  a  topic  of 
prayer  that  does  not  grow  old,  but,  like  the  mercies  of 
(rod,  it  is  new  every  morning  and  fresh  every  evening. 
Recall  the  memories  of  that  scene  ;  remember  us  not  as 
we  were  in  days  of  prosperity,  when  the  heart  grew  slug- 
gish and  the  prayer  was  tame,  but  as  in  a  season  when 
some  one  was  very  ill,  and  we  cried  to  God  that  he  would 
not  take  the  loved  one  away— -and  you  may  partly  under- 
stand with  what  earnestness  of  soul  we  pray  for  you. 

When  alone  with  our  beating  hearts  and  our  God,  in 
secret  devotion.  Like  the  dew-drops  that  have  gathered 
all  night,  and  in  the  morning  exhale,  so  the  thoughts  of 
affection  and  anxiety  that  have  been  gathering  for  hours 
about  our  hearts  turn  now  to  prayer,  and  mount  up  as  in- 
cense before  the  Lord.  And  this  is  no  general  supplica- 
tion, such  as  others  may  share  in,  but  the  yearning  spirit 
pleads  for  one  alone — for  one  whose  dear  image  rises  in  i\ 
moment  to  view,  whose  voice,  associated  with  the  fondest 
recollections  of  other  days,  can  almost  be  heard  now  in  the 
stillness  of  the  closet,  whose  present  condition  and  wants 
are  from  the  latest  tidings  anxiously  inferred  and  conjec- 
tured— with  all  the  particularity  of  personal  affection,  one 
prays  for  one  ;  and  that  kind  Father  on  high,  who  formed 
them  for  mutual  love,  is  beholding  both  at  the  same  mo- 
ment, and  often,  no  doubt,  though  they  are  widely  sever- 
ed, at  the  same  moment  turns  the  rising  prayer  of  the  one 


8 

into  showers  of  blessing  upon  tfie,  .other-.  Who  can  tell 
liu\vm;iii\    sue  and  wide  over   our  land,  the 

angels  look  down  upon  from  heaven,  the  loving  Saviour 
sees,  who  on  earth  was  wont  to  wrestle  intensely  in  solita- 
ry prayer,  and  whose  mild  eye  rests now in human  sympa- 
thy and  in  Divine  mercy  upon  every  praying  disciple. 

And  not  merely  at  set  time.-,  byt  often,  by  day  or  by 
night,  our  Extent  ejaculations  ate  heard  by  Him,  who 
amid  the  wide  tumuli  of  earth's  voire-  of  business  and 
suffering,  of  folly  and  Crime,  misses  no  word  of  prayer,  no 
sigh  of  supplication.  <  tften,  amid  the  fatigm  -  of  out-door 
work  or  the  bustle  ol  domestic  duties,  our  thoughts  fly 
away  to  you  and  then  fly  up  to  Heaven.  Often,  when  we 
awake  ;tt  night,  it  is  to  you  our  spirits  turn;  and  tears  on 
tin.'  pillow  could  sometimes  we  pray  for  you. 

We  pray  for  the  ca  just  and  glorious  cause  in 

which  you  so  nobly  straggle—  thai  it  may  please  God  to 
make  you  triumphant,  that  we  may  have  independence 
and  peace.  We  do  no1  delude  ourselves  with  the  idea  that 
a  righteous  <■  inly  prevail ;  in  some  instances, 

for  wise  reasons;  ■  •  ra  those  who  are  iw  the  tigh(  to 

be  overwhelmed.  Bui  Wc  believe  thai  it  is  never  in  vain 
humbly  and  earnestly  to  cry  to  the  merciful  Uuler  of  all, 
who  will  grant  just  what  we  ask,  or  something  which  he 
sees  to  be  better,  Ami  trying  to  realize  that  there  is  pow- 
er in  prayer,  and  seeking  trulyto  humble  ourselves  before 
lain,  we  pray  God  to  grant  in   dfiving  our  ene- 

mies hack,  till  the  lasl  Po.otstep  of  iiwasion  shall  have  passed 
from  our  borders,  and  oui.now  darkened  and  suffering  land 
shall  be  radianl  with  the  sunshine  of  peace  and  prosperity. 
We  canWl  -'  trials  and  perils  in    the   camp    and 

the  battle,  but  I'm-   yon;  iur    cause,    for  vmiv 

'•L'iintry  and  ours    God  he  thanked  that  we  can  rj 


4 

We  pray  for  your  precious  life — that  if  it  be  our  Fath- 
er's will,  you  may  be  spared  to  come  back  to  your  home 
and  to  us.  We  know  that  the  Ytivy  hairs  of  your  head 
are  numbered,  and  that  nothing,  however  serious  or  how- 
ever slight,  can  feefai'l  you  without  his  knowledge  and 
his  permission  ;  and  we  delight  to  edinmcrid  you  to  his 
powerful  protection,  his  tender  care.  In  the  hour  of 
hardship  and  Sanger;  in  the  season  of-  weakness 
pain,  we,  alas!  are  Par  away;  but  we  pray  Chat  Sic,  who  is 
ever  near,  will  shield  you,  and  strengthen  and  soothe. 
From  all  the  missiles  oP  the  foe*,  and  Prom  the  stealthy 
approaches  of  disease,  may  }ia  raerdifully  deliver  you;  and 
0!  may  he  soon  bring  you  back,  with  the  glow  of  health 
on  your  sun-burnt  ebeck,  the  grace  of  the  soldier  in  your 
step,  and  the  joy  of  victory  in  your  heart,  to  b:e  the  light 
of  our  eyes  at  home. 

"  Thou  Being,  all  seeing, 

O  bear- dot  fervent  prayer; 
Bull  ta.ke  him,  and  make  him 

Thy  most  peculiar  care.77 

We  pray  for  your  soul.  Ah!  what  shall  it  comfort  uSj 
and  what  shall  it  profit  you,  if  yon  gain  the  noblest  earthly 
triumphs,  the  most  abiding  earthly  fame,  yea  ever; 
that  earth  can  give,  and  lose  your  soul !  If  we  continually 
beseech  the  Lord  that  vour  mortal  life  may  be  preserved 
and  made  happy,  with  what  absorbing,  agonizing  earnest- 
ness must  we  pray  for  your  immortal  soul,  that  it  may  be 
delivered  from  the  eternal  degradation  and  wietchedncss 
which  are  the  wages  of  sin.  and  be  brought  to  know  the 
sweetness  of  God's  service  here,  the  rapture  of  his  presence 
hereafter.     We  know  it  must  lie  hard  tor  you,    amid    the 


5 

distractions  of  •amp-life,  the  alternate  excitement  and 
ennui,  the  absence  of  home-influences  and  of  the  associa- 
tions of  the  sanctuary,  to  fix  mind  and  hear!  oh  things 
above.  We  donol  doubt  thenubleness  oJ  your  tinpuL* 
the  sincerity  of  jour  frequent  resolutions  to  do  right,  nor 
would  we  exaggerate  the  tei  life. 

i!  ;.•  no  reproach  on  ion  of 

Buperi  >rity  on  our  part,  to  utter  the  mournful  truth 
spiritually  man  is  always  and  i  ..  rywln  ■■    woakj  thai  you 
tin  rt  outnumbering  and  overpowerin 
We  pray  that  you  may -be  inclined  and 
eommit  your  sou]  to  the  Divine  Saviour,  who  died   to  re- 
deem ns,  and  ever  lives  to  intercede  for  us.  and  who  with 
yearniwglove  it  ing,  "tJome  tin  ••  me.'      V. 

that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  thoroughly  change  your  heart, 
bringing  yon  truly  to  hate  sin,  and  love  ho 
graciously  strengthen  you  to  withstand  temptation,  and 
give  \ou  more  and  more  the  mastery  over  yourself, 
and  the  victory  over  every  enemy  of  your  eoul.  Whether 
il.  be  appointed  you  to  fall  soon  in  battle,  or  years  hence 
to  die  at  home,  may  God  in  mercy  forbid  <■'■  should 

live  in  ifnpeftltence,  ana  die  in  your  sins.     Whether  w 
to  sit  with  you  again  around  our  own  lire  side,  aud  -l  take 
Bweet  eounsel  together  aa  to^hehouae  of  God  in 

company,"  or  are  to   meet  you  no  more  on  earth,  0    may 
God  in  mercy  save  us  fi  =n  ! 

[f  accustomed  to  prny  youn  von 

p;ay  for  us.     Blessed  privilege!  siystical  channel  of  com 
munion  between  those  who  arc  parted;  for  not  only  may 
our  loving  thoughts  fly  to  greet  each  other, 

(i  Like  rays  of  stare  that  meet  in  space, 
And  mingle  in  a  bright  embrace,  " — 


I  I    :  L  C     i      3    I 


6 

but  when  you  pray  for  us.  and  we  for  you,  the  far  distance 
melts  away,  and^we  are  kneeling  .side  by  side  before  the 
mercy-seat  of  God.. 

And  if  you  have  been  neglecting  this  sublimcst  privilege 
of  earthly  life,  will  you  not  now  begin  to  pray,  for  your- 
self and  for  us?  Unworthy,  do  you  say,  tempted  and 
erring,  engrossed  with  cares,  ensnared  by  sinful  pleasures? 
Flee,  nee  to  him  who  came  to  •'  save  his  people  from  their 
sins."  He  has  offered  himself  an  atoning  sacrifice,  and 
"  his  blood  eleanseth  from  all  sin."  He  stands  ever  ready 
to  plead  for  them  "  that  come  unto  God  through  him." 
Apart  from  him,  there  is  no  hope  for  you  or  for  any  one; 
but  asking  in  his  name,  you  shall  not  ask  in  vain.  Three 
times  over  he  has  said  it,  and  again  three  times,  that 
trembling  hearts  may  have  no  room  for  fear,  he  has  re- 
peated the  assurance,  (' Ask  and  it  shall  be  given  you; 
seek,  and  ye  shall  find ;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto 
you  :  for  every  one  that  asketh  receiveth;  and  he  that 
seekcth  findeth;  and  to  him  that  knocketh  it  shall  b#  open- 
ed." Encouraged  by  the  Saviour's  precious  Words,  and 
relying  simply  on  the  Saviour's  merits,  bow  just  as  you 
are  before  the  Lord,  begin  at  once  to  pray.  •And  however 
sorely  tempted  to  give  over, -from  this  time  "cry  day  and 
night  unto  him  :  "<ibr  *;  men  ought  always  to  pray,  and 
'  not  to  faint." 


EXPORTATION  TO  PRAYER, 


1  What  various  hindrances  we  meet 
In  coining  to  a  mercy-seat! 

Yet  who  that  knows  the  worth  of  prayer 
But  wishes  to  be  often  there. 

2  Player  makes  the  darkened  cloud  withdraw 
Prayer  climbs  the  ladder  Jacob  saw  ; 
(lives  exercise  to  faith  and  love  ;    . 
Brings  every  blessing  from  above, 

8  Restraining  prayer,  we  cease  to  fight ; 
Prayer  makes  the  Christian's  armor  bright  ; 

And  Satan  trembles  when  he  sees 
The  weakest  saint  upon  his  knees. 

I   While  Moses  stood  with  arms  spread  wide, 
Success  was  found  on  Israel's  side  ; 
But  when,  through  weariness,  they  f'ail'd, 
That  moment  Amalek  prevailed. 

5  TTavcyou  no  words?     Ah,  think  again, 
Words  Mow  apace  when  you  complain, 

And  fill  a  fellow-creature's  ear 
With  the  sad  tale  of  all  your  care. 

6  "Were.half  the  breath  thus  vainly  spent, 

heaven  in  supplication  sent, 
your  cheerful  Bong  would  oftener  be; 
:'  Hear  what  the  Lord  hath  done  tor  me." 


PRAYER  FOR  THE  LOVED  ONES  FROM  HOME. 

BY  B.  MANLY,  JR.,  D.  D.,  OF  S.  C. 


Father,  who  in  heaven  nearest 

Always  when  thy  children  pray, 
Smile  upon  our  best  and  dearest, 


When  their  voices  rise  to  Heaven, 

Incense  sweet  at  close  of  day, 

May  thy  grace  to  thorn  be  given, 

Far,  far  awa}-. 

When  in  sadness  dark  and  dreary 

Hearts  are-sunk  that  once  were  gay, 
Calm  the  troubled,  soothe  the  weary, 
Far,  far  away. 

'Mid  the  roar  of  baffle's  thunders, 

When  war's  fiercest  lightnings  play' 
Save  them,  thou  that  doest  wonders, 
Far,  far  away. 

Soon,  Q  Lord,  in  peace  restore  them, 

Safe  in  happy  homes  to  slay, 
licviven's  rich  blessing  smiling  o'er  them. 
Not  far  away. 

And  when  all  their  toil  is  over, 

Take  them,  Lord,  to  dwell  with  thee, 
Freed  from  care  and  sin  forever, 
Far,  far  away.* 


Hollinger  Corp. 
PH  8.5 


